Shortly after John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate the media and blogosphere rumor-mills went into full speed, printing everything from reports that Sarah's baby, Trig, (born with Down Syndrome) was not hers but her daughter's, to her husband's DUI 22 years ago.
Whether it was planned or as result of these and other vicious attacks against the Alaskan governor and her family, Sarah and Todd Palin issued the following statement regarding the pregnancy of their 17-year-old daughter, Bristol:
"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and who mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support. Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."
Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin
The media rumor-mills then accused the Palins of pressuring Bristol's boyfriend into marrying her, but Sherry Johnston, the mother of the 18-year-old boyfriend, set the record straight: She stated that her son would join the Palins at the GOP convention, and when asked by reporters if the Palins had put pressure on Levi to marry Bristol, she replied, "Absolutely not." She called the reports "absolutely bogus."
The boyfriend's mother said that Levi and Bristol had planned to wed before it was known that she was pregnant.
I hope you will join me in helping voters to know the facts during this election, because the rumor- mills are in full gear, seeking to deceive people.
To that end please feel free to copy, link to, and forward information from the Election Center, and Issue and Candidate page of Changing Worldviews.
The race is close, exciting, and I believe one of the most important elections of our time.
